No place like home so Jason calls time

TEST centurion Jason Leonard last night admitted the prospect of spending a month away from his family during England’s tour to New Zealand and Australia was reason behind his decision to quit international rugby.

Leonard is to exit the international arena at the end of the 2004 RBS 6 Nations championship after a glittering career which has seen him make 114 appearances for England and become the world's most capped player.

The 35-year-old prop broke Philippe Sella's record of 111 caps after featuring against France as a replacement during last November's World Cup semi-final, a remarkable achievement considering the front row is the most brutal of places to operate. He made his Test debut in 1990 against Argentina, the first step in an epic journey which includes two World Cup finals, three British Lions tours, 54 Six Nations matches and 18 battles against the French.